Linguistics is the study of language, its structure and use. It provides tools for the analysis and description of any given language, and examines how languages differ and what they have in common. Through linguistic analysis we explore identity construction, social and cultural organisation, variation and change, and multilingualism, as well as language patterns in texts and discourses. Knowledge of linguistics is central to the study of languages and is a valuable adjunct to studies in anthropology, education, philosophy, sociology, psychology, law, translation studies and computer science.
The level 1 units will introduce the nature of language, including phonetics (the production and representation of speech sounds), phonology (the organisation of sounds in a language), morphology (the structures of words), syntax (the organisation of words in sentences), semantics and pragmatics (the analysis of meaning), historical linguistics (language change) and sociolinguistics (language variation and use).
In later years, these areas are developed further and options are available to investigate Aboriginal languages, Austronesian languages, discourse analysis, language and identity, language change, psycholinguistics, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, endangered languages, literacies and the structure of English.
Linguistics also offers a fourth-year honours program which combines coursework and a 24-point research thesis as the foundation for postgraduate research degrees.
Students who major in linguistics are encouraged to gain the experience of learning a language other than their first language either through a major or minor. You may also apply to study linguistics overseas.
Availability
Linguistics is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Clayton as a major or minor, and A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts at Clayton as a major.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:
- use the key tools of linguistic analysis to explore the structures of spoken and written texts in familiar and unfamiliar languages
- apply linguistic knowledge to problems in the world including the role of language in social processes and effective communication across cultures.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) and at least 18 points must be at level 3.
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- ATS1338 The language game: Why do we talk the way we do?
- ATS1339 Describing and analysing language and communication
- One level 2 cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:
- ATS2676 Sociolinguistics
- ATS2681 Structure of English
- ATS2683 The analysis of discourse: Texts, narrative and society
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:
- ATS3666 Eastern Austronesian languages of Indonesia, East Timor and Oceania
- ATS3677 Aboriginal languages of Australia
- ATS3816 The social context of language learning
- Four units (24 points) from the remaining cornerstone or capstone units or the elective list below, with at least two units at level 3.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html).
Students complete:
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- ATS1338 The language game: Why do we talk the way we do?
- ATS1339 Describing and analysing language and communication
- Two level 2 or 3 units (12 points) as listed within the major. It is a highly recommended that students complete a level 2 unit before enrolling in level 3 unit.
Elective list
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
- ATS2271 Beowulf: An interdisciplinary approach
- ATS2665/ATS3665 Language endangerment
- ATS2667/ATS3667 Language across time
- ATS2668/ATS3668 Descriptive syntax: Grammatical structure, typology and universals
- ATS2669/ATS3669 Phonetics and phonology
- ATS2671/ATS3671 Managing intercultural communication
- ATS2672/ATS3672 Computational linguistics: An introduction
- ATS2673/ATS3673 History and sociolinguistics of English
- ATS2674/ATS3674 Semantics and pragmatics: The study of meaning in human languages
- ATS2678/ATS3678 Language and identity
- ATS2679/ATS3679 Psycholinguistics and child language acquisition
- ATS2680/ATS3680 Literacies and communication: Education, media and cyberspace
- ATS2682/ATS3682 Second language acquisition and attrition
- ATS2770 English as an international language: Language and globalisation
- ATS3064 Cultural intelligence: Building competencies for global leadership
- ATS3778 Englishes in the global context
- ATS3779 Cultural linguistics
- ATS3780 English as an international language: Language and education
- ATS3781 English as an international language: Writing across cultures
- ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate)
Intending honours students
Students intending to enter honours in this area of study must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Diplomas
- A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree:*
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts component in the following double degrees:*
- A2005 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Art
- A2004 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
- B2019 Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2012 Bachelor of Business Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- B2020 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
- B2024 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- E3002 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- C2002 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts
- L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
